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When do shadows work in a photograph and when do they need to go away?
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Dec 24, 2014 07:07:17   #
mdcoram Loc: Kansas City, Missouri
 
My intention was to capture this image without shadows. Natural light alone included shadows in most every direction. A direct flash caused harsh shadows on one side. This image was shot using my Nikon D7100's flash as a trigger for an off camera flash. It was the best I could capture and I kind of like the shadow it created. I would still like to figure out a way to light this without any shadows at all if that's possible. Any ideas?


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Dec 24, 2014 07:48:14   #
ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore
 
mdcoram wrote:
My intention was to capture this image without shadows. Natural light alone included shadows in most every direction. A direct flash caused harsh shadows on one side. This image was shot using my Nikon D7100's flash as a trigger for an off camera flash. It was the best I could capture and I kind of like the shadow it created. I would still like to figure out a way to light this without any shadows at all if that's possible. Any ideas?


I'm not an expert at studio work; but I would think that a total lack of shadows would make the image flat. I like the shadows you have here. They are not at all a distraction. Without shadows, the shoulder and arm would blend right into the neck. Here you have some darker areas at the top of the shoulder which makes here position more apparent.

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Dec 24, 2014 12:09:41   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
I use two ring flashes, one from Paul Buff which can be handheld and one from Larson which is a monster. If I am going for shadowless I use one of them, and easily accomplish it with just the one light. However, if the subject is standing I use a hair light for separation from the background.

If you use the Paul Buff light without the soft box (moon unit) you will get red eye if your modeling lights are turned off, but when using it with the soft box it gives a beautiful look. I have used it with models laying on the floor and I love the look.
this is a one light no-brainer that women love.

http://www.paulcbuff.com/abr800.php
http://www.paulcbuff.com/mu30.php
http://www.larson-ent.com/l288_295_Soff_Ring_Light.htm

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Dec 25, 2014 08:38:40   #
nikon_jon Loc: Northeast Arkansas
 
An artist friend of mine, many years ago, said that the total lack of shadows can make the subject look like it is floating in an unnatural manner above the ground. I think your shadows in this pic are perfect. They actually give it a natural look. A floor level remote flash pointing toward her face and not very strong, for just a mild fill, would have given a little more detail in the face , but that is the only change I would make.

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Dec 25, 2014 08:56:10   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
mdcoram wrote:
My intention was to capture this image without shadows. Natural light alone included shadows in most every direction. A direct flash caused harsh shadows on one side. This image was shot using my Nikon D7100's flash as a trigger for an off camera flash. It was the best I could capture and I kind of like the shadow it created. I would still like to figure out a way to light this without any shadows at all if that's possible. Any ideas?


Without shadows, we'd be living in a 2-dimensional world. Now, to reduce the shadows, I'd reduce the contrast a bit. Perhaps, over expose just a tad to start with. Light is a critical component of any photograph, but dark is critically important, as well.
--Bob

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Dec 25, 2014 09:28:29   #
BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA
 
mdcoram wrote:
My intention was to capture this image without shadows. Natural light alone included shadows in most every direction. A direct flash caused harsh shadows on one side. This image was shot using my Nikon D7100's flash as a trigger for an off camera flash. It was the best I could capture and I kind of like the shadow it created. I would still like to figure out a way to light this without any shadows at all if that's possible. Any ideas?


Shadows give depth. Having said that, you could have used a reflector to fill in the models face, etc.

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Dec 26, 2014 10:09:39   #
Penny MG Loc: Fresno, Texas
 
ebrunner wrote:
I'm not an expert at studio work; but I would think that a total lack of shadows would make the image flat. I like the shadows you have here. They are not at all a distraction. Without shadows, the shoulder and arm would blend right into the neck. Here you have some darker areas at the top of the shoulder which makes here position more apparent.


I agree! :thumbup:

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Dec 27, 2014 00:17:49   #
wisner Loc: The planet Twylo
 
The more diffuse the light, the softer your shadows will be. Large soft box close to the subject should work well.
Nikon Jon is correct, lack of shadows does make a subject appear as if it is floating in air.
If you look closely, there are actually two shadows present, a cast shadow, which is larger and softer, and a grounding shadow that is darker and closer to the subject; this anchors the subject to the ground. Next time you are outside, look at the shadows and you will see this is true.
Your image is stronger because of the shadows.
I

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Dec 30, 2014 13:43:38   #
HarveyRothbeind
 
B/W needs shadow to give the picture mood. look at the old movie stills from the late 30's and 40's. Wonderful use of dramatic
shadows. Harvey

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Jan 1, 2015 13:03:46   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
This is a picture of my granddaughter with the ABR from white lightning. If she were further from the background there wouldn't be the dark line around her legs, thats from a shadow cast on the background. But the lighting is shadowless. One light.



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Jan 1, 2015 13:14:15   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
There are 2 times I use these lights. one is when the subject is too close to the background and I want to avoid shadows hitting the background. the only shadow this light creates is an outline around the subject, the further the subject is from the background the less noticeable it is.
the other time I use it is to do a glamour light headshot. It is high key usually with a white background. I might add a vignette to it.





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Jan 1, 2015 13:23:29   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
I believe these were taken with one of the ring lights, and these are ones that Jessica has posted on her modeling sight.

The ABR from Paul Buff also works good as a back up soft box, If I am looking for just one light to take on a location shoot I can do about everything I need to with it.

Anyway, I thought I would show you a couple of samples of what you can get with just a ring light

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Jan 1, 2015 23:19:20   #
mdcoram Loc: Kansas City, Missouri
 
Thank you Jim. Your ABR does give you a great blend of soft and directional lighting. I've never used or even seen an ABR and it's out of my price range at the moment but it'll be on my wish list down the road. Thanks for sharing your examples too!

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Jan 2, 2015 12:23:43   #
jim quist Loc: Missouri
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1038561-REG/vello_rbrs_ringbox.html

Im thinking about getting one of these and see how it does. scroll to the bottom to see some others, but for the price I don't think I can go wrong with it.

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Jan 3, 2015 11:34:27   #
Fullframe Loc: Bucks County, Pennsylvania
 
I think it looks good with the shadows. You can soften the shadows in post if you think they're too harsh. But I like your shot with the shadows. Nice job!

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